Wax caster



Sept. 7, 1948. c. F. WESTON WAX CASTER Filedv April l5. 1946 PatentedSept. 7, 1948 NITED :STATES PATENT oFFIcE My invention relates to a waxcaster, v,and more specifically to adevice for castingfwaximpressions tobe used as models` in .the Vmaking of molds for the casting of jewelry,such as rings.f and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide a device in which a multiplicityofmolds for casting wax impressions can be mounted, and which will alignthe molds or hold them in positionn during the centrifugal spinningoperation which forces the wax into the molds.

In my device a plurality of diiferent wax castings can be formed, oraplurality of `identical wax castings can be made.

Another object of my invention is .to-permit the use of rubber molds'forwax oastlngand to hold the rubber molds together and! prevent leakage orspilling ofthe wax duringithescentrifugal process of casting the same.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a cross section of my wax caster. u

Figure 2 is a cross section taken on the line 2D 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a plan view with the lid broken away and the rubber moldsremoved.

Figure 5 is a circumferential section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on the line E- of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the central 35 plug.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rubber mold.

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a rubber mold with the upper halfremoved.

Referring to the drawings, a wax caster constructed in accordance withmy invention has a circular housing l with a hob 2 extending downwardlytherefrom into which a shaft 3 of a prime mover is anchored by the setscrews 4. The shaft 3 is adapted to rotate and spin the housing I.

The housing l forms a circular cavity 5 with bores 6 for the receptionof coil springs 1. A plate 8 rests upon the springs 1. Positioned uponthe plate 8 is a mold holder 9 which comprises a bottom plate I and acircular outer wall II with a scalloped inner form I2. Positioned uponthe plate I@ are the rubber molds I4. These molds I4 are formed ofrubber in the following manner: A model of the desired wax casting 55 isrst formed in metal andlthen is'placed'nwa mold having a configurationto form a mold i4. Rubber is then positioned'in the mold around thecasting and vulcanized so as to form a mold I4. The mold I4 isthenV outopeni onany. line such as the cut It4 to form upper'andlower halves I3and I5, and the metalformremoved. The metal form has attached theretoagprojection which leaves apouring port-|1 extending in to the' mold I4so that waxmayenterthis port and fill the cavity I8 left by the"metall-form. Thev molds I4 preferably are formedto have topV and bottomsurfaces IS) and 20,respectiv`ely,

parallel and slightly 'higher` than' the Wall 7' I I.

tioned in the cavity in themold holder 9soas to rest upon theplate 8.The'sidewalls *oft the Vmolds i4 are formed so that the sidejf2| fisshaped to fit in the scallops 22 and thesetaper inwardly in a downwarddirection as the cavity walls have an inwardly projecting taper 23.

While I have shown the shape of the mold holder 9 as scalloped, itshould be understood that any complementary configurations, such astri'- angular cavities and the like, could be used. The molds I4 areformed to correspond to each other and all to be similar and fit in themold holder 9 in a pattern shown in the drawings. Each mold has itssides where they contact each other, sloping in the same direction (seeFigure 5). A central plug 24' is positioned in the center to hold themolds in position. The inner surfaces of the molds I4 contacting theplug 24 are preferably made with a taper 25 which corresponds to thetaper on the circumference of the plug 24. The upper surfaces 20 of themolds I4 are parallel with the upper surface of the mold holder 9, butextend slightly thereabove. Uponthis upper surface is positioned arubber mat 26. A lid 21 is hinged at 28 to the housing I and is closeddown by means of the latch 29. This cover 21, when latched down,slightly compresses the mat 26 which in turn compresses the molds I4between the cover 21 and the springs 1. As the molds I4 extend above theupper surface of the mold holder 9, they will be slightly compressed andthis compression will tend to close the cuts I6 and the taper of theside walls will lock al1 of the molds in position and prevent anyleakage between molds or movement of the molds in the holder. If the waxleaks between the molds when they are cast, it will make them Verydifcult to remove.

A hole 30 in the lid 21 permits molten wax to be poured in to the cavity3| on top of the plug 24. When the housing I is lspun centrifugally bythe shaft; 3, the molten wax in the cavity 3| will be hurled through theport l1 into the cavity I8 where it will cool and solidify and formanimpression of that cavity.

While I have described the preferred embodiments of my invention, I amnot limited to any of the details herein set forth except as describedin the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a-wax casting device, a housing, a mold holder carried by saidhousing, a plurality of rubber molds radially heldin said holder, acavity in the center of said holder, ports in said molds to provide apassage from said cavity to the cavity in `said mold, spring meansexerting press-ure on 4. In a wax casting device, a housing, a moldholder carried by said housing having a mold receiving cavity, aplurality of rubber molds radially .positioned in said cavity leaving acentral opening, ports in said molds to `provide a passage from saidopening into said molds, said molds being in contact with each other,and spring means exerting pressure on one side of said molds, a cover onsaid housing against which said spring means compress said molds.

5. In a wax casting device, a housing, a mold holder `carried by saidhousing having mold receiving cavities radially spaced therein, apluralone side of said molds, a cover on said housing Y against whichsaid spring means compress said molds.

2. In a wax casting device, a housing, a mold holder carried by saidhousing having mold receiving cavities radially spaced therein, aplurality of rubber molds positioned in said cavities, said molds beingin contact with each other, and spring means exerting pressure on oneside of said molds, a cover on said housing against which said springmeans compress said molds.

3. In a wax casting device, a housing, a mold Iholder carried by saidhousing having mold receiving cavities radially spaced therein, aplurality of rubber molds positioned in said cavities, said molds beingin contact with each other, spring means exerting pressure on one sideof said molds, a cover on said housing against which said spring means-compress said molds, and said molds overlapping each other whereby thecompression exerted between said cover and said spring means will sealthe division between said molds.

ity of rubber molds positioned in said cavities, the walls of saidcavities being tapered upwardly, the

Y sides of said mold being tapered oppositely to said tapered wallswhere they contact said walls, said molds being in contact with eachother, spring means exerting pressure on one side of said molds, a coveron said housing against which said spring means compress said molds, andsaid molds overlapping each other whereby the compression exertedbetween said cover and said spring means will seal the division betweensaid molds.

CORNELIUS F. WESTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the JefferyApr. 4,

